Sunday, October 27, 2013

Thomas Vanek traded to Islanders

Don't worry Wild fans, Dany Heatley's over-inflated contract will be up in Minnesota, after the season is over, and the Wild will be free to bid for Vanek's services. That being said, the Islanders get a good rent a player for the rest of the season to make a run in the playoffs.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders acquired forward Thomas Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night for forward Matt Moulson, a first-round pick in 2014 and a second-round pick in 2015.

The 29-year-old Vanek, a former University of Minnesota star from Austria, had four goals and nine assists in 13 games this season for Buffalo. In nine seasons with Buffalo, he had 254 goals and 243 assists in 598 games.

Both players are in the last year of their contracts.

Vanek's agent, Steven Bartlett, told ESPNNewYork.com that no contract extension for Vanek is in place with the Islanders. He doesn't expect any such talks to take place soon, either.

"He'll concentrate on going down there and doing well," Bartlett said when reached by phone Sunday night. "Hopefully, it will be a breath of fresh air."